Okada accounts for 25% of crimes in Lagos

About 25 per cent of crimes committed in State were aided by commercial motorcycle operators otherwise called okada riders.

The Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaiye, stated this in Lagos at a stakeholders’ forum on the new traffic law organised for local government officials.

Represented by Mr Olanrewaju Akinsola, Ipaiye said the figure was the outcome of a recent research conducted by the Ministry of Health.

He said no responsible government would continue to watch the rising spate of robbery and havoc being caused by the reckless okada operators.

Ipaiye said the state government was concerned about the situation, hence the enactment of the traffic law.

According to him, this is meant to regulate the commercial motorcycle business and also to sanitise the public transportation system in the state.

He noted that the traffic law was not entirely new, recalling that it was first enacted in 1949 to serve only about 300, 000 people.

Ipaiye said the state’s population currently stands at 18 million.

The commissioner stressed that the old traffic law, having been amended six times, needed to be fine-tuned in line with the current situation.

“When a law has been amended several times, there are bound to be issues of ambiguity,” he said.

Beside security, he said the new law would also address specifically the issues of standard, safety and sanity.

He also spoke on the use of motorcycles by courier service companies and other dispatch riders adding only only approved motorbikes, with 200cc engines, would be allowed, just as he added that the riders must use the right number plate, attach the mail cabin and carry no passengers.

“You will also apply to the commissioner for a permit,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the 200cc engine was approved based on the recommendation of experts that it is the minimum engine capacity for commuting.

Although he said that the state government did not outlaw the operation of commercial motorcycles, he warned that the business must be done in accordance with the law.

Ipaiye also said that no branding of commercial vehicles operating in the state would be allowed outside the approved state colour.

Rearing of animals on the road, hawking in traffic, begging and washing of vehicles is now forbidden, he said.

Selling of alcoholic drinks and herbal concortion would no longer be allowed within 100 metres of any bus stops and motor parks, the commissioner said.